Xtra Skills is a private training and assessment company based in Coventry. At Xtra Skills our aim is to provide a cost effective and accessible ‘in house’ training and assessment solution for the Gas, Oil, Water, Electrical and Renewable Energy sector, together with online training for Health & Safety.
All our courses are suitable for experienced operatives or new entrants looking to embark on a new career. We are an approved training & assessment centre for LCL Awards, OFTEC and City & Guilds and we are Gas Safe Registered.
Because of ever-changing legislation, we make sure that we are always at the cutting edge by employing experienced, friendly, and approachable trainers and assessors who have many years of combined experience.
Coventry Training and Assessment Centre
Xtra Skills Training & Assessment Centre is located close to the centre of Coventry with easy access via the M6, M69, M42 and M40 motorway network. We are also within walking distance of the newly refurbished Coventry Railway Station. We have plenty of secure on-site parking and are within walking distance of various cafés, restaurants and takeaways.
Our experienced and friendly team
Paul Withey
Founder, Director, Centre Manager, Trainer and Assessor
Paul has been working in the gas industry for the best part of 40 years. He has worked in many diverse areas of the industry, from Industrial/Commercial, Catering and Domestic installation, service, and maintenance to supervisory, management and training roles looking after the needs of upwards of 800 gas engineers at one point. At the turn of the century Paul decided to leave the comfort of being an employee and together with two partners, founded Icon Training and Assessment. This company was to become the Xtra Skill Centre with Paul now as the sole proprietor. One more name change later and the company, now incorporated, became Xtra Skills.
Mick Ratley
Assessor
Mick has been working in the gas industry for over 50 years. He started his career in 1967 as an apprentice gas fitter with West Midland Gas, leaving in 1984 to further his career in the private sector working for Local Authority contracting companies. He rose through the ranks and became a Regional Manager for a multi-national company. After semi- retiring Mick joined Paul at Xtra Skills and became an assessor. Working for the company for the last 10 years.
Sean Forde
Trainer
Sean is Xtra Skills’ main trainer and has been since 2005. He has a wide range and depth of knowledge accumulated over many years of working in the gas industry. With his friendly demeanour and knowledgeable training technique, he always manages to make the candidates feel at ease and knowing that they’ve learned something worthwhile which makes him an integral part of the way Xtra Skills portrays itself to its candidates.
Sharon Neville
Administrator/Invigilator
Sharon joined Xtra Skills in March 2020. Sharon enjoys the daily challenges that working within the gas industry brings. She finds it very interesting and varied and enjoys meeting different people on a daily basis.
History
Xtra Skills (Coventry) Ltd, was conceived in October 2000. Originally trading as Icon Training and Assessment, it was founded by Paul Withey and two partners. The company was formed to provide cost effective domestic gas training and assessment for the Midlands market. Around 2002 commercial, catering and LPG were added to the portfolio of gas training assessment. OFTEC was added soon after and in 2005 Paul took over the company as a sole trader and renamed the company Xtra Skill Centre. With Paul still at the helm Xtra Skills became incorporated in 2006 and the company took on its now recognisable name; Xtra Skills (Coventry) Ltd.
Since 2006 Xtra Skills has expanded into many new sectors requiring training and assessment and now works with many ‘Blue Chip’ companies from across the UK; but Paul still runs the company like a family business.
“I am pleased that after over 20 years we are still able to offer our customers the personal touch, whether it’s ‘face to face’ or a phone call enquiry we’ll always do our best to offer our customers the best advice and value for their individual needs.”
Paul Withey, Director
Partners and Accreditations
We are an approved training & assessment centre for LCL Awards and City & Guilds. We are Gas Safe and OFTEC Registered.
